Post-hole digger



(No Model.)

J. W. CLARK.

POST HOLE BIGGER.

No. 488,918. Patented Dec. 27, 1892.

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Iran STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES YVILSON CLARK, OF ETNA, OHIO.

POST-HOLE DIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,918, dated December 27, 1892.

Application filed February 11, 1892. Serial No. 421,158. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES WILSON CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Etna, in the county of Licking and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Hole Diggers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to post hole diggers.

The object of the invention is to hold the guard centrally between the cutting blades in a positive manner both as regards longitudinal and rotary motion on the rod, the latter being round.

A further object of the invention is to permit the use of a round rod and fasten the guard thereon at any required point, the looking means being held in engagement with the guard so as to move therewith on the rod.

The improvement consists of the novel features and the peculiar construction and combination of the parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and which are shown in the annexed drawings,in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a post hole digger embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal plan section taken just above the head of the guard. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the head of the anger, the cutter blades being detached. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the looking mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detailview of the upper end of the guard frame.

The rod A having the handle a at one end and the earth boring devices at the other end, is practically of uniform thickness throughout its length and round, being cut from a round bar of proper size.

The cutter head B having the cutters C attached thereto, is secured to the rod A, and is provided with the lateral extensions 1) which form stops to engage with and retain the guard in proper relation to the cutters C. These stops 1? project from diagonally opposite edges of the cutter head and are formed therewith. The vertical extensions (9' at the ends of the cutter head B are recessed in their outer faces to receive the upper ends of the cutters which are fitted in said recesses and secured therein by rivets or other fastening means.

The guard is adapted to slide longitudinally and turn on the rod A and is composed of frame D and blades E, the upper endof the frame encircling the rod A and having a longitudinal channel or groove (1 on its inner side to receive the locking key E which is adapted to be forced into said channel and hold the guard on the rod A by a wedging action. The key F tapers and its lower end has an outward extension f which engages with the upper end of the frame I) so that on drawing the said key F on the rod A toward the bandle the guard will also be carried with it in the same direction. To facilitate the manipulation of the guard by means of the key the latter is provided with a head f and with lat? eral projections or cars f. The head f is constructed to embrace the rod A.

In practice the blades E should stand directl y opposite the space between the cutters O and occupy a relatively central position. This result is effected by having the lateral extensions 1) of proper length and constructed to engage with the edges of said cutters O. The guard is held positively in the required position by means of the key F, in the well known manner. The guard is adjustable on the rod A for the purpose of facilitating the discharge of the dirt from the device or digger after it is drawn from the hole. The key is to hold the guard down While the digger is entering the ground and after the digger is withdrawn the key is grasped by the first two fingers and raised which also raises the guard when the dirt readily drops out. It is sometimes necessary to raise the guard and hold it up While a large stone is being rooted from the side of the hole which could not be done with the guard down. In this case the guard is raised and the key pressed down to secure it in the desired position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a post hole digger the combination with the cutter head, and a rod attach ed thereto of a guard adapted to slide and turn on the said rod, and lateral extensions 22 forming stops to hold the guard blades centrally be tween the cutters, substantially as set forth.

2. In a post hole digger the combination with, the cutter head having vertical exten- ICO sions to which the cutters are attached, and

- having lateral extensions 5 which form stops,

and a rod'connected with the said cutter head, of a guard adapted to slide and turn on the said rod and having its blades held centrally between the cutters by engaging with the said stops, substantially in the manner set forth.

3. Ina post hole digger the combination with, the cutter head, and a rod attached thereto, of aguard adapted to slide and turn on the said rod, and a locking key to secure the guard on the said rod at the required position, substantially as described.

4. In a post hole digger the'oombination with,the cutter head, and a rod attached thereto, of aguard adapted to slide and turn on the saidrod, of a locking key having a head and lateral extensions at one end, and having an extension fat its other end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a post hole digger the combination with,the cutter head,anda rod attached there to, of guard adapted to slide and turnon the said rod, the upper end of the guard frame encircling the rod and having a groove d on its inner side, of a locking key adapted to slide in the groove d and having extension f at its lower end, and having the head f at its upper end which embraces the rod A, and which is provided with lateral extensions f substantially as set forth.

6. post hole digger comprising, a cutter head having stops 1), a round rod A attached thereto, a guard adapted to slide and turn on the rod A and held centrally between the cutters by the straps of a locking key having a head and lateral extensions at one end, and having an extensionfat its other end, substantially as and for the purpose described,

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES WILSON CLARK.

Witnesses;

MAUD AU T, SARAH KINNEY, 

